2. By his merit, because he procureth to us the favour of God, and a right to all those blessings which are bestowed on the children of God. Christ's death is to be considered not only as a satisfaction for the breach of the old covenant, but as a merit by which the blessings of the new are procured for us, Heb. ix. 1,5. He doth not only redeem us from the curse of the law, but also doth purchase for us the favour and image of God, and eternal happiness, which is consequent there- upon : 1 Thes. v. 9, 10, ' For God hath not appointed us unto wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.' Life was purchased, as well as death, and the curse disannulled.
3. By way of efficacy and power, because by his Spirit he doth effect and work in us all those things wliich belong to salvation. In scripture we are sometimes said to be saved by the death of Christ, and sometimes by the life of Christ ; as Kom. v. 10, that is, by the satis- faction and merit of his humiliation, and by the power of his exaltation. He redeemed us before, and by his power he doth efi'ectually apply it. This power is necessary with respect to the party to be saved, and the enemies of our salvation.
[1.] With respect to the party to be saved, which is man, who by a foolish obstinacy is apt to turn back upon his own mercy ; and there needeth the power of God to gain his consent, as well as the merit and sat- isfaction of Christ to reconcile God unto us. There is a mighty power necessary to batter down our unbelief and obstinacy of heart, which is a wall of partition that divideth between God and us, as well as his right- eous law which was broken by us ; and therefore Christ is said to save us by a strong hand. Col. i. 13, and Kom. xi. 26, ' There shall come out of Sion the deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.'
[2.] In regard of the enemies of our salvation, the devil, the world, and the flesh, whose assaults are so daily and assiduous, and the baits presented so pleasing to our flesh, that the power of God is engaged for our salvation : 1 Peter i. ,5, ' Who are kept by the power of God unto salvation.' To keep alive and maintain God's interest in our souls, nothing else, and nothing less can do it.
Use 1. Let us come to Christ for salvation if he be a saviour ; for this is his office. All men would be saved, why then is there na more resort and recourse to Christ ? This title is not a title of terror and diead, but of hope and comfort. The gospel was appointed to give us notice of it : 1 John. iv. 14, ' We have seen, and do testify, that the-
YeR. 24.] SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. 45T
Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.' "Well, then, your first work is to see your necessity because of your sin and misery ; for it is an awakening sense of our misery that maketh us prize our remedy. The news of a saviour is welcome to the lost sinner that is in danger of being damned in soul and body for ever. It is with every one of us as it was with Lot in Sodom, fire and brimstone were ready to con- sume the city ; God sends an angel in mercy to him to pull him out. Gen. xix, 12, but he lingered and was loath to depart, ver. 16. Thus it is with every one of us ; we are all by nature children of wrath, Eph. ii. 3, deserving the eternal wrath of God, which in a little time will be poured out upon us. Oh, let us not refuse our remedy, and neglect the help tendered !
2. Let us believe the truth of this salvation, and how worthy it is of our deepest thoughts : 1 Tim. i. 15, ' This is a true and faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came to save sinners.' It is not a cunning and well-devised fable ; nature will tell you there is a God, and scripture that Christ is the Son of God, and the Saviour of the world ; and you have no reason to doubt of it, but to receive the gospel as a true word, considering what was foretold, how Christ demonstrated and evidenced himself to be what he gave out himself to be : Acts v. 31, 32, 'Him hath God exalted to be prince and saviour, to give repentance and remission of sins ; and we are his witnesses of these things, and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to- them that obey him.'
3. Embrace this salvation in Christ's own way and upon his own terms ; submit to his sanctifying work, that salvation may be begun in you ; submit to his healing methods and terms, and entirely consent to his obedience : Heb. v. 8, 'Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered ; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation to all that obey him.'